Want to See Action on Immigration Reform? Look at States and Cities

A year ago this month, we were talking about the impending fiscal cliff, the debt ceiling, and the possibility of immigration reform. Sound familiar? This December has also included a budget deal avoiding another government shutdown and discussion about how to move forward with federal immigration reform.

In the absence of a new federal policy it may seem that not much has changed over the last 12 months, but the first half of 2013 saw progress on reforming our nation’s dysfunctional immigration system with the Senate passing a comprehensive bill and the House moving piecemeal bills out of committee.

Throughout 2013, we saw what many consider a “pendulumswing” as states and municipalities, still waiting to see federal reform, raced to enact policies to attract and retain their immigrants. Here are some examples of innovative policies that were passed over the last year at the state or local level.

By 2013, DACA recipients in most states were able to obtain driver’s licenses. Taking this expansion one step further, eight states and the District of Columbia approved legislation granting driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Illinois was the first to begin the application process, and most other states will begin issuing licenses in 2014. (In Oregon, however, the signed legislation will be put to referendum in 2014.) More states are considering extending driving privileges, including New York and Minnesota. By ensuring undocumented immigrants can pass a driving test and requiring them to purchase insurance, the roads are safer for all travelers.

Former Research Analyst - Metropolitan Policy Program

Numerous states extended in-state tuition to undocumented or DACA-recipient students this year. Some states, like Michigan, extended tuition equity to all undocumented students while others, like Ohio, extended these rights to a subset of undocumented students: DACA recipients. These states understand the benefit of investing in undocumented students who have come of age in our school system and with DACA are joining our workforce.